Looking to Avenge Last-Second Loss, SDSU to Face Utah

Whenever Steve Lauter recalls last year’s San Diego State game with Utah, the same thought goes through his mind.

“My buddy,” repeats Lauter, an SDSU safety. “My buddy beat us.”

Lauter is referring to Andre Guardi, a former teammate of his at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights. Guardi kicked a 42-yard field goal on the game’s final play as Utah beat the Aztecs, 39-37.

SDSU will seek revenge tonight when the teams begin Western Athletic Conference play at Rice Stadium on the Utah campus.

Last year’s game seemed as if it was three different contests. The Utes took an early 21-3 lead. SDSU rallied and led, 37-27, with five minutes remaining and had the ball. But a lost fumble that led to Ute touchdown, a safety on a punt attempt and Guardi’s field goal gave Utah the victory.

The loss may have been SDSU’s most devastating of the season. It was the second of five consecutive losses that eventually led to the firing of Coach Doug Scovil.

“I definitely think we owe them a loss and us a win,” Lauter said. “That game was a downer for us. It turned our whole season.”

A win tonight would do a lot for SDSU’s confidence since Utah is considered the WAC’s second-best team behind Brigham Young.

“For us to contend early, we have to win,” Aztec Coach Denny Stolz said. “If you lose your opening game, you are playing catch-up the rest of the year. There will always be somebody ahead of you.”

Jim Fassel, Utah coach, considers the Aztecs the dark horse of the WAC.

The Aztecs began their season last week by beating Cal State Long Beach at home, 27-24. Tonight will be Utah’s first game.

The Aztecs were ragged at times against Long Beach in Stolz’s debut.

“I think everyone makes a marked improvement after their first game,” said Fassel, who is in his second season as head coach. “Last year, we were ugly against Boise State (a 20-17 victory on Guardi’s last-second field goal). We made a 100% improvement the next week when we beat Hawaii (29-27). If San Diego State is 25% better against us than against Long Beach, it’ll be tough to beat them.”

The Aztec offense had its moments against Long Beach. Todd Santos passed for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns and scrambled better than he has in the past. And three wide receivers caught touchdown passes.

But the running game was not so effective. Chris Hardy, who rushed for 1,150 yards last season, gained just 32 yards in 19 attempts against Long Beach.

Defensively, the Aztecs were like two different teams. They allowed 197 yards in the first half as Long Beach scored 17 points and moved almost at will. But in the second half, Long Beach netted 52 yards, and its only touchdown came on an interception return.

“Utah is very similar to Long Beach in that it will throw a number of times,” said Tim McConnell, SDSU defensive coordinator. “The key difference is that Utah will probably run the ball better than Long Beach did.”

Utah’s Larry Egger passed for a school-record 2,988 yards last season in leading the Utes to an 8-4 record. Loren Richey set a school record with 73 receptions. Eddie Johnson, who was slowed by injuries last year, rushed for 1,021 yards in 1984.

The Utes were weak defensively in 1985, allowing 37 points in two wins and 49 points in another.

“In our mind, the key to the game is what they will do defensively,” Stolz said. “They have a lot of new people there. We’re convinced about what they will do offensively.”

Though Utah is a seven-point favorite, Fassel is convinced the game will be close.

“I’ll be honest with you,” he said. “I’m more nervous about this game than any game the rest of the year. We’ll have first-game jitters and they’re already over that. . . . I think San Diego State will be the surprise team of the conference. Everyone knows BYU and Air Force are good. Colorado State has good players and people talk a lot about us. Watch out for San Diego State.”

What about SDSU being over its first-game jitters?

“You’re right about that,” McConnell said. “Odds are, we’ll be a better team this week. But we better be a better team if we hope to win. Utah is a better team than Long Beach.”

Aztec Notes SDSU defensive tackle Levi Esene (hamstring) and reserve running back Ron Slack (ankle), who both missed the Long Beach game, made the trip to Utah and are expected to play. The Aztecs did not suffer any serious injuries against Long Beach. Utah will play without starting tight end Don Woodward, who suffered a broken foot in practice. . . . Freshman John Carlson from Costa Mesa, SDSU’s third-string fullback, has left school because he was homesick. Carlson has been replaced on the travel squad by Brett Branco, a 5-foot 7-inch, 185-pound linebacker. . . . Kenny Moore will join Monty Gilbreath to return kickoffs for SDSU tonight. Moore replaces Jeryl Williams, who played poorly on returns against Long Beach.